For I shall praise Him once more: My journey of indescribable loss to bountiful blessings

By Karen Swanepoel

For I shall praise Him once more is Karen Swanepoel’s captivating life story of unimaginable loss, pain and anguish, however, it is also a story of abundant grace and blessing, hopeful expectation, and beauty for ashes. She takes you along on her journey from brokenness towards healing and acceptance and shares the tools that encouraged and equipped her to follow this painful journey to the very end. Throughout the storm God had been the source of her strength, her anchor and her rock.
‘I want to testify of the hope that lives within me. By sharing my life story, I want to inspire others making their way on their own, unique painful journeys, so that they can know and believe that it is possible to sing a song of praise once more.’
For I shall praise Him once more is described as ‘captivating, exceptional, inspiring, soul-enriching, insightful, practical, sincere and written from the heart, every line with simplicity-yet so much depth, a beautiful book of great significance, and absolutely a must-buy and a must-read.’

• Language: English
• Publisher: Digital On Demand
• Release date: Sep 5, 2021
• ISBN: 9780620971737

Book preview

Readers’ reviews

Janca Buys: ‘I have not been as excited in a long time, as I was while waiting for your book to arrive on my doorstep. On Sunday evening, as all went quiet and everyone was in dreamland, I made myself a cup of tea and lay down with your book in my hands. I opened the book and started reading. After the first few pages, I was hooked!

‘There, between the pages of your book, I experienced a piece of Jesus Himself. The hours ticked by, and I simply could not stop reading. Before I knew it, I had reached the last page of the book. Your story is so easy to read and written in a language for everyone to comprehend.

‘I have just read the very last sentence of your book and I am putting it on my bedside pedestal . . . I am speechless! I am literally lost for words, but I brim over with emotion; tears are running down my cheeks like streams of blessings and my WHOLE body is covered by goosebumps. Wow! Wow! Wow!

‘Every single cell in my body felt your pain as well as your joy and experienced it as if it happened to me.

‘Your story touched my soul and spoke to my spirit.

‘Throughout your story the golden thread binding the beginning to the end is: God is faithful, and He rewards our faithfulness.

‘The message of God’s grace and the purpose of pain is perceived just as clearly. Along with that, also the promise that all bad things will come to an end and that God will make everything work together for good for those who believe in Him.

‘As Christians we know all these things, but we tend to forget it so quickly when the tsunamis of life threaten to wreck our boats of life.

‘For this reason, I believe your book could not have been published in any better year. The year in which everybody seems to be grasping at any possible entity or commodity on earth in the hope that things will turn for the better once again. You are a beacon of hope in a world without hope. Even though the virus and the loss you suffered are so far removed from each other, the central message of your testimony stands firm. It is literally applicable to any trial and tribulation (illness, death, divorce, etc.) in the life of any person (irrespective of language, nationality, age, skin colour, occupation etc.).

‘Throughout your story it is crystal clear how God intervened every time and that what we have been taught since we were kids–that our lives have been planned way ahead and that He knows exactly what and when everything will happen–is the absolute truth. He is already there when it happens. After this testimony of yours, I cannot imagine that there may still be people out there who can say that God does not exist. I wish I could put this book into the hands of each and every person who does not believe in God. However, I do believe God will make sure that this book reaches every person whose heart HE wants to touch.

‘I declare this over your book!

‘Your testimony effectively does make all one’s fears of an uncertain future disappear and fills one’s spirit with excitement for what lies ahead. For if He could do it for you, He could most certainly do it for each and every one of us too! Thank you for letting God use your losses, so that I can gain from them. I am putting your testimony, your life-lessons, your promises from God’s Word, every encouraging slogan, and every handy tip, into my life’s basket tonight. As of tomorrow, I will carry it with me daily as food for the soul on my journey of life henceforth. Thank you for the privilege to read your book. It was a blessing.‘

Nellie de Bruyn: ‘Words cannot describe how inspirational your life story, and your love for and trust in God, is. You have touched my life—my entire outlook and thoughts on life; my self confidence and trust in God have been strengthened 100% after reading your lovely book. The motivational sections in your book have touched me deeply, I will read them over and over again. This book of yours is a must read and will touch humanity deeply. My life has been touched deeply. Thank you and thank you again.’

Lianne Claasen: ‘I enjoyed your book immensely. Wow, what a wonderful blessing and privilege it was to read it. There is so much value and power in your testimony and all the lessons that you share in the book. It is such a lovely go-to book. It is packed with information, life-truths, wisdom, Scripture and Word. I have read the book, but I will not stow it on my bookshelf. It is something one shall consult again and again for advice and wisdom. You will want to pull it out every so often as you may come to need it. This book you compiled, is precious and I am sure it will touch thousands of lives. It is a valuable asset for my bookshelf, and I am so happy to have bought your book.’

Yolanda Steenkamp: ‘Hello Karen, I’m writing to you because I have something HUGE to share with you. In September, I read about you and your book For I shall praise Him once more. Karen, I do not read books at all. I last read a book when I was at school. But I just had this strong urge to order your book, although I have never suffered a great loss myself. On October 2nd, 2020, I received your book and I finished reading it at work, the very same day. I did not read part 4, as it did not seem of any significance to me. On the same day I told my sister about you and your unbelievable story.

‘My sister was murdered on December 4th, 2020.

‘Karen, I was just looking for something on the Internet, I do not even know what. Maybe just anything to help me, but I did not know where to start. I then remembered your book, Karen, and there, in Part 4, is everything that I was looking for and needed right now. I am sitting here, covered with goose bumps, and tears of joy for the magnificent way in which the Lord cares for us.’

Andrea van Schalkwyk: ‘Today I want to testify to you, how important it is that you share your story with others . . . I bought your book—not because I lost a loved one myself, but because I wanted to read your story of hope myself—and I was curious to know how one would work through such a tragedy, since I thought it would be impossible. As you know, I finished your book about three weeks ago over a weekend and I was deeply touched by God’s unbelievable grace and love for each one of us. Little did I know what lay ahead of me . . . The eighteen-month-old baby boy of a friend of mine died the day before yesterday and my heart is shattered on her behalf. Because of your book, I do have some peace in my heart–that there is still hope for her! Karen, your story is guiding me, and I know it will, at the right time, also bring consolation for her . . . Three weeks ago, I would probably have said the most inappropriate things; I would not have had the slightest idea of how to properly support her and maybe I will still not do all the right things now. During such a horrible time, a person certainly does not understand any of it yourself but because of your book, I know I will be able to support her much better!

‘Thank you, and thank you once again, for sharing your story of hope with the rest of the world!

Sulei Eygelaar: ‘I received your book from a friend. Your book and your story touched me very deeply; I just want to thank you for sharing it. On October 23rd, my baby son, Miga, died. He would have been three months old on the 24th. I know that God is with me and especially now during this time of hurt, He is walking right beside me. I feel His presence and have never felt as close to Him before, however strange that may sound. Miga means Who is like God? and I feel my baby boy had brought a prophetic message to the world through his life. Also, that God had worked through him to change my life. I am now living in anticipation to find out what is God’s plan for my life so that I can fulfil it. I am so grateful to have received your book and that I could read your story. May you be blessed and thank you for being so obedient to our Father, by telling your story and giving Him all the glory. Romans 8:18 (that you also shared in your book) fills me with so much hope and I am holding onto it tightly.’

Hestelle Visser: ‘Hi Karen, I saw advertisements of your book, and I just had a hunch that I should acquire this book and read it. I am so grateful to a good friend who took the trouble to find the book and buy it for me as a gift—and my gut feeling, that I just had to read this book, was spot-on. My Boeta-child died in 2009 in an accident. During the past eleven years, I have read a great many books about parents who lost children to death, but none have gripped me like yours did. You wrote your story exactly how you experienced death as a parent. While I was reading your book, I thought to myself many a time: "Wow, this mother describes it exactly like I feel"’. Thank you for sharing it all with us. I wish you all the best for the road ahead and I am so grateful that you can sing a song of praise again. ‘

René van den Berg: ‘Good afternoon Karen. I had the privilege of watching your testimony on YouTube. May I share something with you—and I do not believe in coincidence; I believe the Lord sends people across one’s path. One day I sat on my bed. I was so tired of life. I did not have any dreams left. I did not even have any ambitions left.

‘Throughout my childhood and school years, I experienced rejection. Since I was eight until I was 14 and a half years old, I had attempted to take my life. It seemed as though nothing I ever did mattered; it was just never good enough. After numerous diets and failed attempts, I just became more broken; I hoped and prayed so much, but eventually I just gave up. I just lived to get through every day. Then someone shared your story on Facebook. There, I noticed that one poem. I commented on it—then bought your book and I watched your testimony. I believe the Lord sent your testimony across my path, to give me hope once again. Thank you, I am also going to be able to SING A SONG OF PRAISE once again; I will, I believe it. ‘

Camille: ‘This is not just another biography; it is a book that touches your heart. Karen takes you along on her emotional journey through trials and happiness. It is a wonderful testimony of a woman who had to endure so much yet she held onto God. It is testimony to how God has walked with her all the way, from that fateful day; a road to recovery. It is a book that you just cannot put down. In this book, you will also find tools to handle loss, should it come your way . . . May everyone who read this book, become spirit filled. It is a must-read for everyone.’

Dr Nelia Drenth: In my practice as a bereavement counsellor, I daily see bereaved people with shattered dreams and the intense emotions they experience. The bravery that Karen shows by sharing her most painful experience with the outside world, has the potential to encourage other bereaved people to realise the value of sharing their innermost pain. But it is not only the sharing of these intense moments that can be helpful, it is the balance that Karen brings in taking the reader on her journey towards healing and hope – a journey where her loved ones are not present in person but present in memory. This is not just another self-help book written by someone who experienced the traumatic death of three family members. Throughout her book, Karen shows us in a practical way how she made sense of the tragic incident that changed her world forever. She allows us to share in the resources and support available for a grieving person. I recommend this book to people who grieve; to social workers, counsellors, psychologists, and other professionals to enhance their knowledge; and to anybody who wants to be a companion to someone else who grieves. 

Liza-Marie Schutte: ‘I could not put your book down. What a heavenly message for our earthly existence.’

Marina Engelbrecht: ‘Thank you for your testimony; thank you for being faithful and thank you for sharing your life with us. I think your book will help people understand what happens when someone loses a child. I especially like the advice about what not to say.’

Sanet Odendaal: ‘If you have ever questioned God and WHY He allows great sorrow and pain, this is the book you must read. I will never forget it.’

Ananda van der Schyff: ‘Karen, thank you for the empathetic and grave depiction of your story. Although emotional,